YESTERDAY we launched the Spanish versions of Beyond the Runway, Women Across Borders Fulfilling Purpose and with a Mission at the Venezuelan Cultural Institute. This journey has been tremendously fulfilling but not without challenges. The inspiring tone was set by Spanish music from Mr and Mrs. Valenzuela as the guests were entering the room. Candacee Lowe was a first time MC who did a fantastic job. She was so nervous when I requested she should not be and that I believed in her abilities.

The first item on the programme was the prayer. Pastor Dil Mohamed asked everyone to hold hands and pray. All my events have some form of prayer and acknowledgement of God because he is making the way for us to do all these wonderful transformational projects. The Spanish versions were translated by one of the coauthors, Ediclia Bastardo who came to Guyana from Venezuela for this event. She worked at the Venezuelan Embassy here in Guyana and left five years ago. We met because of my contribution to the Venezuelan Cultural Institute.

I will reiterate how blessed I am for many reasons and having all these wonderful sisters in my life is a huge one. Sending love and appreciation to my other phenomenal co-authors/sisters who contributed to this amazing project: Desiree DeFlorimonte, Dr Jackie Evans Phillips, Jacqui Phillips, Alizé LaVie, Tavia Hunte, Roshini Khushi Persaud, Latoya Gooding, Christine Neblett, BethanyLove Hanna Isabelle Doll-Ngcobo, Chan Tale, Essenese Sambury and Linda Felix Johnson.

Also Dr. Elayne H. Anthony and Dr. Linda Wallace who contributed the foreword to this project. Dr. Wallace is currently travelling across Europe with a team of women from the Empowering a Billion Women by 2020 (EBW2020) Movement lead by my other sister Anna Mc Coy.

I love what Linda mentioned in her foreword: “When you engage with other women of different ethnic backgrounds and mutually share your stories, amazing opportunities can happen. Purpose can be discovered, collaborations can result in the lives of entire nations being impacted.”

The energy in the room was electrifying and super empowering. Thank you, my sister, for the translations and the chapter you contributed.

Ediclia was very emotional while her daughter, Tatiana, translated to English because her dream was to write a book someday. ”Sonia Noel is a special woman and she makes dreams come through. I thank God for her in my life because she is assisting to fulfill my lifelong dream of writing my own book which I am doing now. I not only admire her beautiful exterior but her kind heart she has for people. May God continue to bless her.”
Thank you to the Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, iReina Margarita Arratia Diaz; UN Representative in Guyana, Ms Mikiko Tanaka; Captain Nane is Raymond; Tatiana; Augusto; Stanley; Eric Phillips; Ms. Kay Lagan; Avia Marie Lindie and Ms. Rogers for taking precious time from their busy schedule to join us. Also, Pastor Dil Mohamed, Petamber Persaud, Keron Noble, Candacee Lowe, Ron D’ Avilar, Venezuelan Institute staff, headed by Mr. Francisco Rugama Rebekah Abdool, Elizabeth Chan, Ruth Elizabeth Wilson, Mandy Isaacs and all the persons who contributed this awesome event.

Our appreciation to Pizza Hut and Banks DIH for providing refreshments.
I will keep encouraging people to let’s be each other’s accountability partner and be intentional about everything we do. while making the world a better place.

I love these wise words from Bradley Whitford
“Infuse your life with action. Don’t wait for it to happen. Make it happen. Make your own future. Make your own hope. Make your own love. And whatever your beliefs, honour your creator, not by passively waiting for grace to come down from upon high, but by doing what you can to make grace happen… yourself, right now, right down here on Earth.”
Send us your emails to beyondtherunway1@gmail.com as we continue to celebrate life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.